International Market Place, Aloha

The end is near for the International Market Place, that decaying maze of open-air souvenir stands and faded Polynesian pop-era grandeur in the heart of Waikiki.

Do not let some of the people you meet make you difficult.

Do not let the pain they caused, make you hate anyone.

Do not let bittermess steal your inherent goodness

Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree with you.

It is still a beautiful place and your biggest regret is having to leave it so soon.

After 56 years, visits by millions upon millions of tourists, and a long slide into ruin, the landmark shopping bazaar will close at the end of the month. In its place will go a high-end retail, dining and entertainment complex, three stories tall on Kalakaua Avenue, and seven along Kuhio Avenue. In other words, a big, glitzy new mall, anchored by Saks Fifth Avenue.

Only two things from the original International Market Place will remain: the name and a few trees, including — thankfully—the venerable old Indian banyan tree.

"I Remember You" by Don Ho

For most Honolulu residents, the International Market Place lost whatever appeal it might have had decades ago — along with the parking. Still, its closing represents the end of an era, which makes this a good time to rummage through the Market’s kitschy past, ponder its upscale future, and check in on the gigantic banyan tree at the center of it all.

The happiest reader/dancers and the unhappiest reader/dancers are our valuable Two - Centers. Their tremendous value is the fact, that they have their own unique opinions. They do not have SOS.